As a child, I was brought up in the world of model trains and collectables by my parents, my father being the founder and owner of Andrew Clark Models.
From an early age I was taken on monthly trips to the National Railway Museum in York, where I would press my nose against the glass of the O gauge layout and endlessly watch the model trains race around the scenic hills. I was often taken along to the Shipley Model Railway exhibition and spent countless hours running pre-owned models brought home by my dad on various layouts.
It was towards the end of 2011 whilst working in a coffee shop that my dad offered me a desk in his office should I ever want to try establishing and running a business. He didn’t mean that very same day, but to his shock, I handed my notice in there and then. I purchased a desk, computer, notepad and various model railway books and magazines, and began planning.
By 2012, Ellis Clark Trains was established and I was travelling the breadth and depth of the country buying pre-owned model railways. We have grown from a one man business, to one of the most well-known pre-owned specialists, and in recent years, we have also become known as award-winning manufacturers.
But why have we grown and why do we do it?
My team and I love what we do. Not only that, but we believe in being approachable, friendly and understanding to everyone's individual needs. Model Railways is like no other business and we love being a part of it. We have forever spoken of the family feel to it, the ‘help thy neighbour’ approach of many and the love, and enthusiasm which surrounds both the hobby and the real life articles.
We’re humbled to be part of this world and it constantly fuels us to put in the late nights, long weekends and day-to-day graft that makes Ellis Clark Trains what it is today.
